Pruning apparatus

Abstract

A bush pruning apparatus adapted for use in combination with a tractor or similar vehicle, wherein the apparatus is mounted to the tractor by a frame that allows the position of the cutting blade relative to the bush be pruned to be freely independent of the position or tilt of the tractor, such that changes in elevation or ground surface encountered by the tractor are not transmitted to the cutting blade to adversely affect the height of the cutting blade.

I claim: 
     
       1. A pruning apparatus adapted for mounting to a tractor, wherein the tractor defines a direction of travel, the apparatus comprising:
 an independent suspension frame assembly comprising a front frame member, a rear frame member and a main frame member, wherein said front frame member is adapted to be pivotally mounted to the tractor and joined to said main frame member, and wherein the rearward portion of said main frame member is pivotally joined by a pivot assembly to said rear frame member such that the forward portion of said main frame member moves in a vertical arc centered on said main frame member pivot assembly, said pivot assembly having an axis of rotation perpendicular to the direction of travel, and wherein said rear frame member is adapted to be rigidly mounted to the tractor; 
 a pruning assembly mounted to said frame assembly, said pruning assembly comprising a height adjustable cutting blade; and 
 a ground support wheel mounted to said frame assembly; 
 whereby said front frame member and said main frame member move independently of the tractor and said rear frame member, such that said frame assembly precludes transfer of any tilting or up and down movement of the tractor to the pruning assembly during a pruning operation and such that movement of said pruning assembly is maintained within a substantially vertical plane. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said pruning assembly further comprises a blade mounting assembly, a blade mount pivoting assembly and an actuator assembly, said blade mounting assembly being joined to said main frame member by said blade mount pivoting assembly, and said actuator assembly being connected to said main frame member and said blade mounting assembly, whereby actuation of said actuating assembly adjusts the height of said cutting blade. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a secondary pruning assembly mounted to said frame assembly, said secondary pruning assembly comprising a height adjustable secondary cutting blade. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a secondary pruning assembly mounted to said frame assembly, said secondary pruning assembly comprising a height adjustable secondary cutting blade. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said secondary pruning assembly further comprises a secondary mounting assembly and wherein said secondary mounting assembly is mounted to said main frame member. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said secondary pruning assembly further comprises a secondary mounting assembly and wherein said secondary mounting assembly is mounted to said main frame member. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said cutting blade of said pruning assembly and said secondary cutting blade of said secondary pruning assembly are coplanar. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a mulching assembly mounted to said frame assembly. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a mulching assembly mounted to said frame assembly. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a mulching assembly mounted to said frame assembly. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tractor defines a direction of travel, and wherein said main frame member is adapted to be mounted parallel to the direction of travel. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tractor defines a direction of travel, and wherein both said front frame member and said rear frame member are adapted to be mounted to the tractor perpendicularly to the direction of travel, and wherein said main frame member is mounted perpendicularly to said front frame member and said rear frame member. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said front frame member is pivotally joined to said main frame member. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said front frame member is pivotally joined to said main frame member. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said front frame member is pivotally joined to said main frame member. 
     
     
       16. A pruning apparatus adapted for mounting to a tractor, wherein the tractor defines a direction of travel, the apparatus comprising:
 an independent suspension frame assembly comprising a front frame member, a rear frame member and a main frame member, wherein said front frame member is adapted to be pivotally mounted to the tractor and joined to said main frame member, and wherein the rearward portion of said main frame member is pivotally joined by a pivot assembly to said rear frame member such that the forward portion of said main frame member moves in a vertical arc centered on said main frame member pivot assembly, said pivot assembly having an axis of rotation perpendicular to the direction of travel, and wherein said main frame member is adapted to be mounted parallel to the direction of travel, and wherein said rear frame member is adapted to be rigidly mounted to the tractor; 
 a pruning assembly mounted to said frame assembly, said pruning assembly comprising a height adjustable cutting blade; 
 and a ground support wheel mounted to said frame assembly; 
 whereby said front frame member and said main frame member move independently of the tractor and said rear frame member, such that said frame assembly precludes transfer of any tilting or up and down movement of the tractor to the pruning assembly during a pruning operation and such that movement of said pruning assembly is maintained within a substantially vertical plane. 
 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein both said front frame member and said rear frame member are adapted to be mounted to the tractor perpendicularly to the direction of travel, and wherein said main frame member is mounted perpendicularly to said front frame member and said rear frame member. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said front frame member is pivotally joined to said main frame member. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said front frame member is pivotally joined to said main frame member.